Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon
Two pale green lagoons locked inside limestone cliffs, on Miniloc Island.
Duration
7 hrs – 9 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
First departure of the day
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
The Miniloc lagoons are basins of seawater enclosed by limestone cliffs, linked to the outside by narrow passes. Big Lagoon is entered by boat through a shallow channel; Small Lagoon needs a metre-high opening that you pass through by kayak, and only at low tide.
The rock is karst, the same formation as Ha Long or Krabi: an old coral reef lifted and then sculpted by rain. The water is a pale opaque green because it is shallow over a white sand floor.
Getting there
Bangka boat trip from El Nido, Tour A. An hour's sailing to Miniloc.
What the price covers
paid bangka tour, plus an eco-fee and a per-lagoon entry charge; rates to be confirmed
What to bring
- Reef shoes
- Swimsuit
- Dry bag
Rules on site
Getting into Small Lagoon depends on the tide: at high water the opening is submerged and the kayak cannot pass. The El Nido environmental fee is paid separately and is valid for ten days.